Is 80ºC too hot for a Pentium M Processor?

Q I recently put together a media system using a Pentium M processor and the Aopen i915GMm-HFS motherboard. I’m pleased with its performance, but noticed the temperature of the processor can easily hit 80ºC when driven flat out.
Peter Hinch

A It sounds high, but yes, that’s normal for the Pentium M processor. We’ve found our own Model 770 Pentium M runs at around 45º to 55ºC when idle, depending on the fan configuration, but rockets up to 80ºC when under load.

This happens even with the supplied Aopen fan running flat out at around 3,600rpm.

This temperature is, however, well within the operating margins of the Pentium M and falls very quickly when the load decreases.

It is also possible to configure the fan to power itself off once the processor falls to sufficiently low temperatures.

We’ve found setting the threshold at around 65ºC means the fan stays off for most of the time, only popping on for short bursts when required.

It’s worth mentioning that a fan going on and off can sometimes be more obtrusive than one running constantly, but slowly.

While the prospect of a system that can occasionally run without any fans is exciting, you may like to try configuring the fan so that it’s on all the time, but at a very low speed.

This should keep the processor sufficiently cool, while remaining unobtrusive and allowing you to enjoy your media system.

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